18:30 Dundalk

Friday 8 February 2019

All17:0017:3018:0018:3019:0019:3020:0020:30

Dundalkstadium.com Handicap

Off time: 18:30 | Winning time: 1m 39.73s

(7)

Aussie Valentine^p¹¹¹

Age: 8| Weight: 10-0| J: D P Davis⁽¹⁰⁾| T: A McGuinness| OR: 92| BF| CD

13/2

Winner of two of his six starts over C&D including a success in October off a 2lb lower mark. Life difficult off top weight but very much a leading player on his return and he's a consistent sort.

Form: 248317-

(5)

The Game Of Life³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 81| CD

13/8

Oasis Dream gelding winner on debut over C&D in December. Beaten when dropping in trip last month but looks the one to beat on handicap debut back up to this trip.

Form: 1-2

(1)

Pacific Fleet^h³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: C P Hoban| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 80

40/1

Formerly with Archie Watson and David O'Meara the Elusive Quality gelding was well held on stable debut here last month. Unlikely to play a part in the finish.

Form: 33/634-8

(2)

Grace Rafaela^p1¹⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 8-13| J: K J Manning| T: J M Ryan| OR: 77| C

25/1

Course winner in 2017 but has been out of form since. First-time cheekpieces unlikely to bring about the required amount of improvement needed to play a role here.

Form: 15/4367-

(3)

Koybig^p,t²¹

Age: 7| Weight: 8-13| J: O J Orr⁽³⁾| T: D Marnane| OR: 77| CD

7/1

Solid over C&D winning four of his seven starts over the combination. Fourth of 14 beaten 3¾L last month when just held for third in first-time tongue tie which is retained. Each way claims.

Form: 4236-94

(8)

Sevenleft^t²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-13| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 77| C

8/1

Promising run over C&D last month when finishing third of 14 beaten 3½L behind Confrontational and he's a long way below his last winning handicap mark. Seemingly at his best on this surface and should go well.

Form: 0799-63

(6)

Admodum²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-12| J: Alan Persse⁽⁷⁾| T: M Butler| OR: 76| CD

40/1

One from two over C&D but has looked out of form in three starts since October. Hard to fancy and plenty to prove, particularly given his propensity to start slowly.

Form: 00100-0

(9)

Twenty Minutes¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 8-10| J: Rory Cleary| T: D English| OR: 74

12/1

Eight-race maiden without success in seven starts here. Not ruled out after a good second here in a decent race last time but may find one too good again here.

Form: 572-452

(4)

Gougane Barra^h,t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 8-7| J: N G McCullagh| T: M Halford| OR: 71| CD

7/2

Solid and consistent C&D winner who comes here looking for a hat-trick of wins in the new year. Leading yard boast a 29% strike rate here in early February since 2016.

Form: 0046-11

(10)

Waitaki¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 8-6| J: Andrew Slattery⁽⁷⁾| T: D A McLoughlin| OR: 70| C

20/1

Course winner that has also won over this trip. Solid and consistent in defeat over C&D and likely to run her race once again.

Form: 502-034

Forecasts

The Game Of Life (13/8), Gougane Barra (7/2), Aussie Valentine (13/2), Koybig (7/1), Sevenleft (8/1), Twenty Minutes (12/1), Waitaki (20/1), Grace Rafaela (25/1), Pacific Fleet (40/1), Admodum (40/1)

The hat-trick seeking, GOUGANE BARRA can defy a 7lb rise here and claim the prize from Joseph O'Brien's exciting prospect The Game Of Life, winner over C&D in December. Course specialist Aussie Valentine is sure to be on the premises once again on return to the track while Koybig can go well at a price.